The Miami Dolphins (7-3) host the Houston Texas, (1-8-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium; listed below are 5 issues to observe for within the sport:
Tua and Dolphins’ offense
Let’s see if the Dolphins offense can proceed discovering other ways to win, a talent that can turn out to be useful down the road. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been among the many NFL’s greatest prior to now three weeks with a passer score of a minimum of 135.0 in every sport whereas totaling 9 touchdowns and no interceptions. In the meantime, operating again Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed for 119 yards within the 39-17 victory over Cleveland on Nov. 13, the cross safety unit hasn’t allowed a sack prior to now two video games, and eight gamers caught a cross vs. the Browns.
In different phrases, the offense is exhibiting superb range, particularly when you think about broad receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle mixed for simply 9 receptions, 110 yards and one landing in opposition to Cleveland. Recently, the run sport has been efficient, the passing sport has been efficient, and the identical is true for cross safety, run blocking, execution and play-calling. Of course, the Dolphins have been enjoying the so-called “soft” a part of the schedule, however think about this in-season coaching for the tough a part of the schedule, which comes after the Houston sport.
Dolphins’ cross safety vs. Texans DL Jerry Hughes
Dolphins followers are acquainted with Texans defensive lineman Jerry Hughes from his days with Buffalo (2013-21). Hughes is tied for Tenth within the league with 8.0 sacks. He strikes backward and forward so Dolphins left sort out Terron Armstead and proper sort out Brandon Shell can be busy. The Dolphins may even have to pay attention to the Texans’ stunts up entrance.
Armstead has completed an amazing job this season in opposition to elite cross rushers however we’ll see whether or not Shell, who has completed nicely, can preserve issues going for a cross safety unit that’s solely allowed two sacks the previous three video games (each in opposition to Detroit) and none prior to now two video games. Recent historical past has proven if the Dolphins can preserve Tagovailoa upright and out of hazard, good issues will occur within the passing sport.
Dolphins’ cross rush trio of Chubb, Phillips and Ingram
Houston, which is beginning quarterback Kyle Allen as an alternative of Davis Mills, has allowed 28 sacks, tied for Tenth-most within the league. The Dolphins’ 20 sacks are tied for twenty sixth within the NFL, however they’re nonetheless experimenting with methods to successfully use their pass-rushing trio of edge rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram. We’ve seen the trio utilized in varied methods the previous two video games, for the reason that Dolphins acquired Chubb in a trade-deadline deal from Denver.
But largely search for Chubb on the best edge, the place he’s performed 75% of his snaps with the Dolphins. Look for Phillips on the left aspect, the place he has performed 66% of his snaps since Chubb’s acquisition. Ingram has performed 57% of his snaps on the best aspect since Chubb’s acquisition. If he’s comfy on the within that might be the place the majority of his snaps come when he’s on the sphere together with Chubb and Phillips. But the Dolphins want to seek out methods to generate a cross rush as they head into the final seven video games of the common season.
Dolphins’ run protection vs. Texans RB Dameon Pierce
The Dolphins are sixteenth in run protection at 116.9 yards per sport. Texans rookie operating again Dameon Pierce is seventh within the NFL with 780 yards dashing, three touchdowns and a 4.5 yards per carry common. But he’s coming off a season-worst 10 yards on eight carries in a 23-10 loss to Washington. Pierce is fourth within the league in dashing makes an attempt (175) so he’ll get his possibilities.
But Pierce solely has 354 yards earlier than contact, which ranks nineteenth within the league. Among others within the high seven in dashing yards, solely Las Vegas’ Josh Jacobs, who’s No. 3 in dashing yards, is near Pierce in yards earlier than contact with 293, which ranks twelfth. On the opposite hand, Pierce’s 426 yards after contact ranks fifth within the league. Oh, and Pierce is second within the league in damaged tackles at 22, simply behind Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (23) and forward of Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (21). Houston’s greatest likelihood of offensive success rides on Pierce.
Keeping concentrate on Texans, not wanting forward
The Texans most likely aren’t ok for this to be thought of a entice sport. Houston is on a five-game shedding streak, the longest present slide within the league, whereas the Dolphins are on a four-game profitable streak, which is tied with Kansas City and Baltimore for the longest within the NFL.
Houston followers most likely would really like for his or her workforce to lose to allow them to get a step nearer to the No. 1 choose on the 2023 draft, however Texans gamers will attempt to win so the Dolphins can’t take this workforce evenly. Yes, Houston is a foul workforce, and, sure, Houston hasn’t scored greater than 24 factors in a sport this season. But it is likely to be price noting its solely victory was on the street, a 13-6 choice at Jacksonville. That’s not price noting? OK, nicely, I apologize. I attempted to supply slightly intrigue.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com